Hunter Biden gun trial: 'Politics never came into play,' juror says after guilty verdict
The president's son was convicted of unlawfully purchasing a firearm.
President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden has been found guilty on three felony counts related to his purchase of a firearm in 2018 while allegedly addicted to drugs.
The younger Biden, who pleaded not guilty last October after being indicted by special counsel David Weiss, denied the charges. The son of a sitting president had never before faced a criminal trial.
The trial came on the heels of former President Donald Trump's conviction on felony charges related to a hush money payment made to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.
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Hunter Biden arrives in court
Hunter Biden entered the Wilmington, Delaware, courthouse as jurors prepared to resume deliberations in his federal gun trial.
He was accompanied, as he has been each day of the trial, by his wife Melissa Cohen Biden.
Jury to resume deliberations
The 12 jury members who for the past week heard vivid and personal details about President Joe Biden's family are set to continue their deliberations this morning in the federal gun trial of his son, Hunter Biden.
In their closing arguments yesterday, prosecutors argued that Hunter Biden lied on a federal gun-purchase form when he said he was not a drug addict, telling jurors "if this evidence did not establish that Hunter Biden was a crack addict and an unlawful user, then no one is a crack addict or an unlawful user."
But defense attorney Abbe Lowell urged the jury to acquit his client, telling them, "We have had Hunter's life in our hands. And now we have to give it to you."
If convicted, Hunter Biden could face up to 25 years in prison -- though legal experts believe he would not serve time due to his being a first-time, nonviolent offender.
Deliberations are scheduled to resume today at 9 a.m. ET.
Transcript shows Hunter Biden affirmed decision not to testify
Hunter Biden, in court today, affirmed his decision not to testify in his own defense, telling the judge "I do" when she asked him if he understood it was his own decision to make, according to the transcript of the proceedings released after court was dismissed for the day.
"Did you make a decision not to testify voluntarily?" Judge Maryellen Noreika asked him, according to the transcript.
"I did," he said.
The questioning from Noreika occurred during a sidebar with Hunter Biden, his attorneys, and prosecutors that was conducted out of earshot of reporters but released as part of the transcript.
"You understand you have the right to testify in your own defense?" the judge asked Hunter Biden, per the transcript.
"I do," he said.
"If you don't testify, you understand your decision not to testify cannot be held against you and I will instruct the jury to that effect?" she asked.
"Agreed," he responded.
"It's your decision and yours alone to make, do you understand that?" the judge asked.
"I do," he responded.
"It's not your attorney's decision, it's not the government's decision, it's not my decision, you understand all that?" she asked.
"I do," he said.
Day 1 of jury deliberations ends with no verdict
The jurors in Hunter Biden's federal gun trial have been dismissed for the day, after deliberating for one hour with no verdict.
Hunter Biden left the courthouse after the jury was dismissed.
The jurors will be back tomorrow at 9 a.m. ET to resume their deliberations.
Hunter Biden says he's more grateful than disappointed
Hunter Biden said in a statement after the verdict that he's "more grateful today for the love and support I experienced this last week from Melissa, my family, my friends, and my community than I am disappointed by the outcome," referencing his wife Melissa Cohen Biden.
"Recovery is possible by the grace of God, and I am blessed to experience that gift one day at a time," he said.
Hunter Biden's attorney, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement, "We are naturally disappointed by today's verdict. We respect the jury process, and as we have done throughout this case, we will continue to vigorously pursue all the legal challenges available to Hunter."